All About Fiber Cement Siding: An FAQ

Fiber cement siding is a popular siding material that some homeowners choose over vinyl siding. If you're trying to decide for yourself which type of siding is right for you, it helps to know a few details about fiber cement, like what it's made of, how it performs, how long it lasts, and what it looks like. This FAQ will give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

What is Fiber Cement Siding?

Fiber cement siding is a product made from wood pulp, filler, Portland cement, and water. Fiber cement siding can be shaped or textured to look like wood, shingles, and other types of siding.

Fiber cement siding is desirable for its durability and longevity. Homeowners prefer fiber cement because of its resistance to fire, mold, wind, and freezing cold temperatures. Fiber cement siding is uniquely able to handle the hazards of warm-weather and cold-weather climates; it also performs well in humid and wet parts of the country.

What Does Fiber Cement Look Like?

Fiber cement can be shaped so that it takes on the texture of raw wood; it comes in planks and thus looks most similar to wooden boards, but only when painted.

Raw fiber cement lacks the beauty of raw wood. Without paint, it looks very much like a concrete board or a piece of drywall. Fiber cement siding must be painted when installed, except in cases when it has been painted before installation. After paint is applied for the first time, the paint must be reapplied on a regular basis, just as paint must be reapplied to wood.

If fiber cement siding is not painted regularly, the paint may fade or begin to peel, just as it would on a home made of wood. Unlike wood, fiber cement will not rot, even if the paint exposes the fiber cement board underneath.

Can Fiber Cement Be Installed By the Homeowner?

Fiber cement is fairly brittle and also heavy. These features make handling fiber cement difficult, and thus this material is best installed by a professional.

How Does Fiber Cement Compare to Vinyl Siding?

Fiber cement is far more durable than vinyl siding. Where vinyl siding may blow off in strong winds, fiber cement stays firmly secured. Where vinyl siding can be damaged, fiber cement holds strong.

The great benefit of vinyl siding over fiber cement is that it is much less expensive to install. Vinyl siding costs an average of about $4 per square foot to install, while fiber cement siding costs around $10 per square foot to install.

How Can You Tell If Fiber Cement Is Right For You?

Fiber cement is a good product for homeowners who want a reliable product that is long-lasting and who have the budget to pay for it. Fiber cement is an especially smart choice on homes that are in high-risk areas for fire.

What Kind of Maintenance Does Fiber Cement Require?

Aside from regular painting, fiber cement boards should be cleaned regularly. Cleaning the boards helps ensure that the home will continue to look its best. While fiber cement boards do not mold, and mildew is not much of a concern, it's important to remove dirt to prevent the paint from becoming stained.

Fiber cement boards should be allowed to dry out after rain storms, so homeowners should trim shrubs and plants that grow up against the house. Doing this maintenance task helps ensure that the boards are given the chance to dry after rain.

If you have more questions about fiber cement, contact a construction contractor that installs fiber cement. At Ohio Roofing & Siding Co., we're happy to answer your questions and give you more information about fiber cement siding. Call us today.